Shut up and Dance with Me:
Bucky looked down at his uniform and smiled. It had been far too many years since he had last worn the dress blues. Strong hands brushed over his shoulders as his best friend came up behind him.
"You think he'll like it?"
"I'm pretty sure his jaw will hit the floor when he sees you Buck." Steve's warm smile reflected back on them in the full length mirror. "And don't forget the hat, you always knew how to make a hat look like the sexiest thing in the world. Course on you anything would look sexy." Pink crept up the back of Bucky's neck and snuck across his cheeks too.
The old Bucky, before all the years of torment and torture and pain, was charismatic and charming. He had class and just oozed sex appeal. Steve knew it, he'd experienced it first hand over and over and he knew deep down that same Bucky was still there.
"So what is this thing again?" The dark haired man fiddled with his hat as he waited for an answer. "Is this like a charity thing or something?" Steve chuckled as he fixed his own tie in the mirror.
"No, it's a club opening…"
"Club opening? Then why are we dressed like this? I thought men wore skin tight leather pants and button downs to the clubs these days."
"Not that kind of club Buck. Some local history group bought this old club and fixed it up to its former glory from back in the day, back in our day." He was beaming. "It's going to be wonderful. Just like our good old days." He put his arm around Bucky's shoulders. "Now let's get going, it'll be fun."
The pair exited their apartment and quickly made their way to the crowded subway stop just a few blocks away. On the train Bucky and Steve both felt as though all eyes were them. Steve noticed Bucky fiddling with his hat brim.
"You sure he's going to come?"
"You asked him, of course he's going to come."
"And you think I can get him to dance with me?"
"Bucky, you're the best dancer I know. At least you can dance, the one dame who offered to teach me, well…" Sad echoes danced across Steve's face as that long gone day flitted through his mind.
"She's in a better place, you know that." Looking at his best friend Steve smile sadly and nodded.
"Yeah I know."
They heard their stop announced and both men exited the train much to the dismay of many of its occupants. When they emerged from the subway platform they were only a couple blocks from the club.
"So what's this place called again?" Bucky looked over at Steve and smiled.
"Don't know. Your boy is the one who brought it up. Said he'd love to see what clubbing, dancing was like in our day." The sultry strains of jazz music pulled them from down the block as the two men rounded the corner.
"They certainly don't make music like that anymore." Steve nodded in agreement. Two figures stood below the green awning waiting for the pair of soldiers. Steve felt like he was back in the forties. His heart skipped a beat as for just one moment, a single shining second, he thought it was Peggy waiting for him, in the shadow, in that red dress that fit her like a glove. As they drew closer the pair caught sight of the club's name.
The Stork Club.
Steve felt his throat close up and he stopped frozen to the spot. Why did it have to be this place?
Bucky looked back at his friend and worry glinted in his eyes. "Stevie?" He reached out to touch his friend's arm. Steve quickly held up his hands and blinked a few times.
"I-I- I'm good. I just need a minute. You guys go on ahead, I'll be there soon." He'd never told Bucky about his conversation with Peggy on that fateful day. Bucky nodded and turned to the two people waiting.
"You boys go in, I'll wait here with him." Natasha patted Bucky's arm as he walked past offering Phil his left arm in passing. The agent smiled and linked his arm with the assassin's. The two men entered the club giving the couple some space.
Inside the warm space was exactly as Phil had always imagined it. Tables were scattered around a large dance floor. A ten piece band sat at the far end of the room where a young man was singing, crooning. Bucky smiled happily feeling at home in the surroundings.
"This feels so right, like I'm home you know?" Phil smiled and patted his metal arm.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. You look unbelievable tonight. Do you want to get a drink?" They made their way through the gathering crowd toward the long shining bar and quickly found a couple of seats. Once their drinks were ordered Bucky looked at Phil.
"We should dance, it'd be fun."
The young man singing with the band gave way to a beautiful young woman. All curves and curls she looked as if she'd been poured into her midnight blue satin dress. The music began as she wrapped her slender fingers around the mike. Phil smiled and waved at the approaching couple.
"Don't our boys look wonderful Phil?" Natasha said as she slipped onto the bar stool to Phil's right.
"Best I've ever seen…"
A new song began as Phil gazed at his handsome boyfriend.
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me
"Come on Phil, dance with me." The seasoned agent avoided his beau's gaze and shook his head.
"I think I'll just enjoy my drink." Without any prompting from her partner Natasha grabbed Steve by the tie and dragged him out onto the dance floor into the quickly gathering mass of couples.
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
"Phil, come on! It's just dancing. I'm not going to bite… unless you ask me to." Red creeped over Phil's cheeks as he glanced up at Bucky. Pressing his frosted glass to his lips he mumbled something, more to the cup than anyone else. Raising brow Bucky eyed him. "Come again, I didn't catch that…"
"Icantdance" he mumbled.
"One more time…"
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find you
Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
You gotta make me a promise, promise to me
You'll dream, dream a little of me
"I don't… I can't… I- ju- I never-" Bucky pressed a single silver finger to Phil's lips.
"Phil just shut up and dance with me." That familiar charming smile that had graced the eyes of countless ladies in decades past once again made an appearance. Phil nodded slowly and took Bucky's extended hand.
The beautiful singer stepped away from the mike and let the band take over. Glen Miller's Moonlight Serenade filled the club as many couples held each other close. Bucky could feel Phil's nervous energy and smiled warmly trying to calm him.
"Phil baby, it's just dancing, it's not a field assignment. Just relax and follow my lead." Again Phil nodded slowly and gazed up into a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Bucky took Phil's right hand and placed it on his shoulder then took his left hand in his own. A strong right arm wrapped around Phil's middle pulling him close to Bucky's body. The sergeant hummed along to the music as they swayed back and forth.
"Bucky," the word was barely spoke, just a whisper. He nearly missed it in the sound of the music. Cracking first one eye then the other he looked down at his boyfriend.
"Yes dear?" Once again red crept over Phil's cheeks.
"Thank you for sharing this with me." He placed his head on the soldier's chest, smiling to hear the steady heartbeat. Bucky smiled warmly and glanced over to see Steve holding Natasha close. These were the moments he lived for. It was moments like these that reassured him. No matter the enemy, the battle, the world ending cataclysm that would come their way; these were the moments that made it all worthwhile.
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Author Note:
This is what you get when I listen to blues and jazz music all day at work. XD Sorry Steve got away from me a little bit on this one but what can I say he's my little cinnamon bun.
Playlist:
Dream a little dream of me. By Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Moonlight Serenade by Glen Miller